I've developed more same-sex attractions over the years so it's not entirely unconceivable. I view sexual orientation as a fluid instead of strict, well-defined categories so it's not that dramatic.

Fair enough. I think for those with more exclusive sexual tastes, it's probably a lot less fluid, but that does not necessarily mean that for such people that sex with a member of the opposite gender is entirely impossible.

I've heard stories about people I know who have had sex with women and found out they were gay by this experience.

Be careful not to include quotes from the private fora into the public. Just provide the link.

--Mina

« Last Edit: June 30, 2015, 10:56:21 AM by minasoliman »

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Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

Be careful not to include quotes from the private fora into the public. Just provide the link.

--Mina

D'oh! Should've put this in politics quotable quotes. Sorry!

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Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

1) The question was asking for commentary on "the daily Gospel/Epistle readings," so giving a glib "the Bible" doesn't really offer anything

2) Since the Gospel/Epistle readings were asked about, and this is an Orthodox forum, I think an answer about commentary from "Holy Fathers" should obvious, yet an answer with only such a vague phrase offers nothing

3) This is all kind of like those things that most of us do at one time or another, but usually when we're kinda tired of debating things in circles; someone asks a question like 'where can I find St. Paul saying that?' and you respond 'The New Testament.' It's frustration, not an actual answer. Which I'm fine with sometimes, but not when it's a sincere request for information, from someone new/not a regular/not combative, on the convert forum, having to do with learning more about the Orthodox faith.

4) She seemingly (IMO clearly) wanted something convenient and/or collected together (or at least delivered in such a way), like the Philokalia for spirituality, or the Prologue of Ohrid for lives of the saints, etc. There may indeed be something like what she asked in particular about, but "The Bible and Holy Fathers for Orthodox" is not it. It's not even an attempt at an answer. In fact, it doesn't even make sense as an answer.

Basically, it falls somewhere between being rude and being a bully. If you want to be a jerkface you need to do it like me: I'm very careful with my condescending posts, snarky and useless one-liners, and jerkhead rants. Very careful. Don't disagree with me or I'll let you have it.

Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

You mean, have I ever been in love with a handsome youth and refrained from having sex with him so I could just focus on letting his beauty lead me to contemplation of the Forms? No.

You beat me to it! I nearly spit out my orange juice on that one.

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Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

Does anyone know of a good kid's devotional book that I could use with my children? We have a bunch of them that we have gone through that my wife has gotten for our girls, but even she recognizes that they are pretty vacuous and don't teach much. I'm thinking that perhaps if I got one that that was good for children, maybe she wouldn't be too opposed to it and perhaps she may even open up to seeing that Orthodoxy isn't just all about icons, incense and complicated doctrine. My daughters are 8 and 6.

I would strongly recommend Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Fr Seraphim Rose.

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"But we must live in the world, having peace in our soul. We must live amidst strangers; we must suffer, struggle, and firmly believe. We must seek our consolation in prayer and not doubt the love and compassion of God. He is above everyone and everything."

It may be advisable in certain situations for certain converts to make a public statement concerning these matters

What do you mean with 'certain converts'? Who are they?

I don't know for sure. What I had in mind was the kind of situation in which, for example, TheTrisagion was central Pennsylvania's leading anti-OO activist, publishing polemical materials, protesting outside local OO churches with his children holding signs reading "I ♥ Pope Leo" and "God Hates Copts", etc. If one day he had a change of heart and wished to join the local Syriac parish, I suppose making some sort of public confession of faith might be in order.

I guess I must be a cave dweller, but who is this Bruno Mars person? I've never heard of him.

Of all the heresies which have departed from the truth articulated by the Catholic Church and enshrined in the Symbolum of Faith common to all Christians, none is so vile as that of the loser, heretic and hater of God Bruno Mars, which declares that the speediest and surest path to theosis lies between the thighs of one's true love. His madness and irreligiousness have long been known among all men, most especially those whose radio dials are tuned to Hot 97 FM. Considering the heresies of Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Kanye West to be as older sisters to his odious doctrine, what would be more fitting than for Bruno Mars to dance forth against the Lord to the strains of dissolute and loose metres that serve as a perfect accompaniment to his wretched words of blasphemy and to beseech of the faithful females of Christ to "hit their hallelujah"? If anyone should declare that today they don't feel like doing anything, the Catholic and Apostolic Church holds them to be anathema. We condemn all of the works of Bruno Mars, including Doo-Wops and Hooligans and the aptly-named Unorthodox Jukebox (with a title like that he was asking for it) otherwise known as the Bazaar of Peter Gene Hernandez.

LOL!!!!!!

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Vain existence can never exist, for "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127)

If the faith is unchanged and rock solid, then the gates of Hades never prevailed in the end.

Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

Because judging our sanctimonious posturing is not sanctimonious posturing.

Selam

« Last Edit: July 23, 2015, 01:00:39 AM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

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""Love is a dangerous thing. It will crush you if you trust it. But without it you can never be whole. Love crucifies, but love saves. We will either be saved together with love, or damned alone without it." Selam, +GMK+

Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

The Protestant communities ordaining Priestesses & Bishopesses is a positive ecumenical development as it proves any movement for 'unity' between any churches except the 3 apostolic Orthodox, Oriental & Catholic Churches is futile.

AN approves. Keep it up, new guy!

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Worship is theology, so a church which brings Evangelical and Charismatic "praise & worship" into its corporate life is no longer Orthodox. It is, by definition, heterodox. Those "Orthodox" leaders who make theological arguments for the incorporation of heteropraxis into the life of the Church are heretics.

For example, some people have an anger issue. Perhaps it is better for them not to marry rather than strike out in anger and kill their spouse as there appears to be a greater danger to a women who has a spouse with anger issues than one with open SSA issues. Look at Mrs. Petersen who was killed by her husband not too many years ago.

On the other hand, a man or a woman who has hidden his/her SSA is a liar and a thief. A liar because they are dishonest; a thief because they have stolen the love and virginity of another person to provide a cover for their iniquities so they could succeed in society without disgrace.

I had a cousin who married a lesbian. She only married him for his money and took him to the cleaners at their divorce when he was overseas fighting in a war. He was left with nothing but the shirt on his back. Fortunately, they did not have children. They did not even consumate their marriage because he was shipped overseas before they could have a proper honeymoon.

For example, some people have an anger issue. Perhaps it is better for them not to marry rather than strike out in anger and kill their spouse as there appears to be a greater danger to a women who has a spouse with anger issues than one with open SSA issues. Look at Mrs. Petersen who was killed by her husband not too many years ago.

On the other hand, a man or a woman who has hidden his/her SSA is a liar and a thief. A liar because they are dishonest; a thief because they have stolen the love and virginity of another person to provide a cover for their iniquities so they could succeed in society without disgrace.

I had a cousin who married a lesbian. She only married him for his money and took him to the cleaners at their divorce when he was overseas fighting in a war. He was left with nothing but the shirt on his back. Fortunately, they did not have children. They did not even consumate their marriage because he was shipped overseas before they could have a proper honeymoon.

I am glad you enjoyed this piece of writing.I did attempt to show a little sense of humor.

Some cultists will believe anything, do anything, and endure anything just to be "illuminated."

How True.

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"But we must live in the world, having peace in our soul. We must live amidst strangers; we must suffer, struggle, and firmly believe. We must seek our consolation in prayer and not doubt the love and compassion of God. He is above everyone and everything."